Huh Jung-moo

Huh Jung-moo (; born 13 January 1955) is a former South Korean football player and manager.

Playing career Huh was one of the best South Korean college footballers before starting his semi-professional career. He was often compared with Korea University's Cha Bum-kun while playing for Yonsei University. After his graduation, he joined Korea Electric Power FC, and simultaneously enlisted in Marine Corps and Navy FC to do mandatory military service.

When Huh was discharged from the military service, European clubs were interested in Asian players due to Cha Bum-kun's performance in the Bundesliga. Motivated by Cha, Huh also wanted to play for a European club, He mainly played as a defensive midfielder and showed impressive form for three years. Johan Cruyff, who was tired from Huh's active marking, broke Huh's nose with his arm, and Willem van Hanegem showed a hysteria to Huh with the racist gesture "Slant-eye".

Huh went back to South Korea after the 1982–83 season. His wife felt homesick, and he also didn't feel the need to continue his life abroad after learning that a professional league was being founded in his country. Huh joined Hyundai Horang-i as a founding member in 1984, and played for it for three years.

Huh was on the South Korea national team from 1974 to 1986, and won two gold medals in the Asian Games. He was also a member of the Korean squad in the 1986 FIFA World Cup. In a group match against Argentina, he left a famous photo where he appeared to be kicking Diego Maradona whose face twisted with pain. Afterwards, he scored a goal against Italy.

Style of play Huh was a versatile player, and could play in multiple positions. He was capable of playing as a striker, winger, attacking midfielder, defensive midfielder, or full-back. He covered great distance by utilising his competitive spirit and stamina. Because of his tough and energetic playing style, he was nicknamed "Jindogae", the hunter dog breed originated from his hometown Jindo Island. He was also adept at man marking and often duelled with Johan Cruyff in De Topper. He didn't have rapid pace, but he could dribble the ball with intelligent movement. After finishing third at the 2000 AFC Asian Cup, he was replaced by Guus Hiddink.

Since Hiddink's incredible success in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Korea Football Association (KFA) began hiring foreign managers, including Humberto Coelho, Jo Bonfrere, Dick Advocaat, and Pim Verbeek, but they failed to match Hiddink's success. Meanwhile, the nameless players picked by Huh became key players at the national team, especially Park Ji-sung and Lee Young-pyo who settled at the Premier League. The success of Huh's former apprentices in addition to his two victories with Jeonnam Dragons at the Korean FA Cup made him revalued as a candidate for the national team manager. Huh was appointed for the second time in December 2007 after leading candidates Mick McCarthy and Gérard Houllier both rejected the job. Huh got the team qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup without a loss at the qualifiers. In November 2009, he was named the AFC Coach of the Year after leading the national team to a 27-match unbeaten run. His team also advanced to the knockout stage at the 2010 World Cup.

In March 2013, Huh was appointed KFA's vice-president by president Chung Mong-gyu. On 10 July 2014, due to the national team's poor performance without a win at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, he resigned from the association along with national team manager Hong Myung-bo.

After working as chairman of Daejeon Hana Citizen from 2020 to 2023, Huh ran for KFA president in November 2024. He was one of three candidates along with existing president Chung Mong-gyu and another challenger Shin Moon-seon, and lost to Chung in the election in February 2025.

Career statistics Club

International

Results list South Korea's goal tally first.

Honours Player Yonsei University Korean National Championship runner-up: 1974

Hyundai Horang-i Korean League Cup: 1986

South Korea U20 AFC Youth Championship third place: 1973, 1974

South Korea Asian Games: 1978, 1986

Individual Korean National Championship top goalscorer: 1974 Korean FA Best XI: 1974, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1984, 1985, 1986 Korean President's Cup Best Player: 1979 K League 1 Best XI: 1984 K League '80s All-Star Team: 2003

Manager POSCO Atoms Korean League Cup: 1993 EAFF Championship: 2008

Individual K League All-Star: 1995, 2005, 2006 Korean FA Cup Best Manager: 2006, 2007 AFC Coach of the Year: 2009